“In many plays a character has a misconception of himself or his world. Destroying or perpetuating this illusion contributes to a central theme of the play.”
Using Othello, select a character to whom this statement applies, and write an essay in which you consider the following:
(1) What the character’s illusion is and how it differs from reality as presented in the play.
(2) How the destruction or perpetuation of the illusion develops a theme of the play.
Do not merely retell the story.
Period 2
Misconception- a mistaken thought, idea, or notion. Central theme- a unifying or dominant idea.
Central Themes
Othello: When blind passion overtakes reason, tragedy can ultimately result Roderigo: Things are often not what they seem
Character
Illusion
Perpetuation of Illusion
Reality
Othello
Relationship between Desdemona and Cassio is immoral
OTHELLO: (referring to handkerchief) To lose't or give't away were such perdition as nothing else could match (III. iv. 76-79).
IAGO: Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed (IV. i. 226).
OTHELLO: [striking her] Devil! (IV. i. 268)
Desdemona is helping Cassio regain favor with Othello
Iago is trustworthy and honest
IAGO: Though it be fit that Cassio have his place, for sure, he fills it up with great ability, yet, if you please to hold him off awhile, you shall by that perceive him and his means (III. iii. 287-290).
OTHELLO: This fellow's of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, of human dealings (III. iii. 299-301).
IAGO: I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it…the Moor already changes with my poison: dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons (III. iii. 369-374).
Iago behaves in a manipulative and deceitfulmanner in an attempt to gain military rank and power
Character
Illusion
Perpetuation of Illusion
Reality
Roderigo
Roderigo can win the affection of Desdemona with wealth
BRABANTIO: The worser welcome. I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors…my daughter is not for thee (I.i. 106-109).
RODERIGO: What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so found, but it is not in my virtue to amend it (I. iii. 359-360).
Desdemona is married to and in love with Othello
Iago is trustworthy and honest
RODERIGO: Wilt thou be fast to my hopes if I depend on the issue? (I. iii. 405-406).
IAGO: Thou art sure of it. Go, make money…Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him (I. iii. 406-410).
IAGO: Thus do I ever make my fool my purse (I. iii. 426).
IAGO: And what's he, then that says I play the villain… (II. iii. 356).
Iago behaves in a manipulative and deceitfulmanner in an attempt to gain military rank and power
Period 4
Desdemona -
1. Illusion: Othello is not angry with her, he's angry about war
Examples - "Pray you, let Cassio e receieved again" (iii.iv.102)
"Something, sure, of state, either from Venice, or some unhatched practice made demostrable here in Cyprus to him, hath puddled his clear spirit" (iii.iv.161-164)
2. Themes: Bad things happen to good people
Examples: (III. iii. 320-331) Othello complains of a headache, and Desdemona does her best to soothe him. While treating him, she unfortunately drops the handkerchief and walks away. Emilia happens to remember that Iago wants the handkerchief, and gives it to him. Things aren't always as they seem.
Examples: (III. iii. 1-28) Desdemona reassures Cassio that she will do her best to reason with Othello about the job.
lines 45-82 Desdemona pleads with Othello to talk to Cassio, but it all ends in an argument. Desdemona pushes it too far.
Period 4 Othello's Allusion: That Desdemona loves Cassio and not him.
"In sleep I heard him say Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves." III. iii. 475-476.
"Or to be naked with her friend in bed an hour or more, not meaning any harm?" IV. i. 5-6.
(hankerchief) "Why then, tis hers, my lord, and being hers, she may, i think, bestow it on any man." IV. i. 15-16.
Using Othello, select a character to whom this statement applies, and write an essay in which you consider the following:
(1) What the character’s illusion is and how it differs from reality as presented in the play.
(2) How the destruction or perpetuation of the illusion develops a theme of the play.
Do not merely retell the story.
Period 2
Misconception- a mistaken thought, idea, or notion.
Central theme- a unifying or dominant idea.
Central Themes
Othello: When blind passion overtakes reason, tragedy can ultimately result
Roderigo: Things are often not what they seem
IAGO: Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed (IV. i. 226).
OTHELLO: [striking her] Devil! (IV. i. 268)
OTHELLO: This fellow's of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, of human dealings (III. iii. 299-301).
IAGO: I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it…the Moor already changes with my poison: dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons (III. iii. 369-374).
RODERIGO: What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so found, but it is not in my virtue to amend it (I. iii. 359-360).
IAGO: Thou art sure of it. Go, make money…Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him (I. iii. 406-410).
IAGO: Thus do I ever make my fool my purse (I. iii. 426).
IAGO: And what's he, then that says I play the villain… (II. iii. 356).
Period 4
Desdemona -
1. Illusion: Othello is not angry with her, he's angry about warExamples - "Pray you, let Cassio e receieved again" (iii.iv.102)
"Something, sure, of state, either from Venice, or some unhatched practice made demostrable here in Cyprus to him, hath puddled his clear spirit" (iii.iv.161-164)
2. Themes: Bad things happen to good people
Examples: (III. iii. 320-331) Othello complains of a headache, and Desdemona does her best to soothe him. While treating him, she unfortunately drops the handkerchief and walks away. Emilia happens to remember that Iago wants the handkerchief, and gives it to him.
Things aren't always as they seem.
Examples: (III. iii. 1-28) Desdemona reassures Cassio that she will do her best to reason with Othello about the job.
lines 45-82 Desdemona pleads with Othello to talk to Cassio, but it all ends in an argument. Desdemona pushes it too far.
Period 4
Othello's Allusion: That Desdemona loves Cassio and not him.
"In sleep I heard him say Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves." III. iii. 475-476.
"Or to be naked with her friend in bed an hour or more, not meaning any harm?" IV. i. 5-6.
(hankerchief) "Why then, tis hers, my lord, and being hers, she may, i think, bestow it on any man." IV. i. 15-16.
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